Postumus served as a military commander of the Rhine legions under Emperor Valerian. Once he controlled Gaul, Postumus declared himself emperor of Gaul, Britain and Spain. He had coins issued that depicted him as Restorer of Gaul and Restorer of the World. In 269, when his troops wanted to plunder a town that supported a rival would-be emperor, Postumus refused them and they killed him.